# warfare

/ˈwɔɹˌfɛɹ/ (US) · /wˈɔːfeə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/warfare
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. fighting a war

noun · CEFR B2

the activity of fighting a war or a long period of armed conflict.

For teachers: the act of engaging in or the state of being at war; the general conduct of armed conflict.

- The country has suffered through years of brutal warfare and economic collapse.
- The civilian population bore the brunt of the warfare, as the conflict moved from remote borders into densely populated urban centres.

### 2. a specific method of fighting

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a particular way of fighting, often named after the tools or tactics used.

For teachers: military operations characterised by a specific method, environment, or technology.

- The soldiers were trained in jungle warfare before being sent to the tropical region.
- Modern military doctrine has shifted its focus toward cyber warfare, prioritising the protection of digital infrastructure over traditional territorial defence.

Usage: Often used as the second part of a compound noun, such as 'chemical warfare' or 'trench warfare'.

### 3. intense competition

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a situation where people or companies compete very strongly and try to hurt each other.

For teachers: intense conflict or competition between opposing groups that resembles military struggle in its aggression.

- The two tech giants are engaged in a legal warfare over patent rights.
- The boardroom witnessed a form of psychological warfare as the rival executives vied for the support of the remaining shareholders.

## Examples

- The country is preparing for modern electronic warfare.
- The general studied the history of trench warfare to understand how soldiers survived in such difficult conditions.
- The transition from conventional warfare to asymmetric conflict has forced military theorists to reconsider traditional doctrines regarding territorial defense and civilian protection.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.